A stereotype is used to catergorize a group of people. People don't understand that type of person, so they put them into classifications, thinking that everyone who is that needs to be like that, or anyone who acts like their classifications is one.

A term used to define all people of a certain belief into a mostly negative category that may only reflect a selected few of the racial demographics. All people of all nationalities have been victims of being stereotyped, even those whom have made most of the stereotypes of other people.

Note: Most stereotypes are involuntarily lived out by a small segment of who they are made to offend. Here are a few examples of stereotypes.

1.) That all white women have flat booties.
2.) That all Jews are greedy.
3.) That all blacks are lazy, on welfare, and don't believe in marriage before child barring.
4.) That all Asians are good at math.
5.) That all Arabs are angry people that like to blow shit up.
6.) That ALL black men are hung like elephants.
7.) ALL white men are hung like squirrels.
8.) All blacks crave chicken and watermelon.
9.) All blacks are hostile and will quickly bust a cap in your ass.
10.) That all Mexicans like to drive around 15-17 deep in a small ass car.
11.) That all white people get angry when they cant get jobs and see others moving ahead.
12.) That all Asains like to eat rice and drive slow.
13. That all Irish people are drunks and eat potatoes.

These are just a few..however not everyone live this lifestyle and therefor should be judged on individuality instead of being grouped as a whole.

Joe is a Middle Eastern, "gothic" gay person. Because of this, people assume that he is a morbid, suicidal terrorist that has a strong passion for interior decorating. In fact, he dresses gothic because of the music he listens to, and he likes the style. He is perfectly happy, and is in several school programs to help suicidal kids. He also is a Good Smaritan. He was born in the US and is planning on joining the military as an ROTC scholar. He wants to stop terrorism. He hates design in all ways.

a perception of a person or thing that applies those attributes most commonly associated with the group that such person or thing belongs to, regardless of whether that perception is true. This word has gained a negative connotation and is more commonly associated with discrimination, when in reality it is a natural mechanism used by people to better understand the world. This is why when someone says "hockey player" you think of a white guy, or "rapper" and you think of a black guy, or "city" and you think of things like skyscrapers.

Stereotypes are often good and helpful things, but discrimination on the basis of prejudice/stereotypes often has negative effects.